The U.S. Soccer Federation continues increasing its influence on boys soccer. Launched in 2007 with 64 clubs, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy enters its 2012-13 with 80 clubs, and for the 2013-14 season will add a younger age group, U-13/14.

The impact of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy's banning its players from high school ball is being felt across the nation as the fall scholastic season begins. We spoke with Joe Cummings, the CEO of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), more than a third of whose 30,000-plus members are high school coaches.

With many of the thousands of high school games to be played this fall, and with the high school leagues being played in the winter and spring, the two-referee system (just two refs and no assistant refs) is an unfortunate fact of life.

The "sports physical," formally known as the preparticipation physical exam (PPE), is an important part of an athlete's summer regimen.

The sideline shots of coaches during TV broadcasts tend not show them in the best light.

The Olympics provided a rare chance for America's soccer-playing girls to see plenty of action from the world's best women players. Fortunately, those who tuned in for the USA's march to their gold medal were treated to high drama, exciting soccer and lots of goals.

One of my friends, living in New York but originally from Croatia, is a big fan of European soccer but of MLS, not so much. He remarked to me about the Herbalife World Football Challenge, "Why are these teams playing in baseball stadiums? The fields don't even have the same width as games in soccer or football stadiums."

Martin Jacobson is likely the most renowned high school soccer coach in the USA as his success with inner-city New York kids, at a school dubbed "Horror High" by the tabloids, has been well-documented by media outlets, including CBS's "60 Minutes."